BHG / Sydney Brown
Kitchens function best when they’re organized and easy to manage.
Keeping track of where things are and what needs replacing saves time and money.
To get your kitchen organized, start with your pantry.
Credit:BHG / Sydney Brown
Designated zones turn ajumbled pantryinto a streamlined food and appliance storage area.
Learn how to organize pantry space in zones for efficient meals and snack times.
Start with these seven categories and add your own as needed.
Credit: Cameron Sadeghpour
Next, designate an area for each, with the most often-used zones easiest to get to.
Finally,label each zoneto keep the sections straight.
How to organize pantry space most efficiently will depend on determining storage solutions that suit your needs.
Credit: Cameron Sadeghpour
Apantry door organizermight be an easy-access place to store after-school snacks for kids.
Entertain on the Fly
Planning how toorganize pantryshelves includes anticipating food-related problems and emergencies.
Stock a selection offast-fix appetizers, napkins, toothpicks, and trays in baskets.
Credit: Cameron Sadeghpour
When guests arrive, pull a basket down, and you’re ready to get the party started.
Choose ones that make sense for each pantry zone you create.
Place mixes, frostings, and other ingredients on a nearby shelf.
Credit: Cameron Sadeghpour
you could use pantry shelf risers to organize and stack ingredients on top of each other.
Group food by pop in (veggies, fruits, soups, etc.)
and arrange in rows on the shelf.
Credit: Cameron Sadeghpour
Use stair-step shelves to put the back row of cans in view.
Place them in a basket with handles to quickly grab everything during busy mornings.
This arrangement also makes preparingweekend lunchesand sports practice snacks a snap.
Credit: Cameron Sadeghpour
Save the shelf space for boxy items such as cereal, pancake mix, andinstant oatmeal.
Use this pantry organization idea tocreate a convenient coffee stationfor your morning brew.
Hang Tools and Utensils
Don’t take up precious shelf space with your cookware.
Credit: Cameron Sadeghpour
Instead, hang bulky or seldom-used utensils from hooks mounted on the wall or back of the door.
Your most-used pots, pans, utensils, and bakeware should remain in your kitchen.
Credit: Cameron Sadeghpour
